Plato Complete Works (Volume 4)

Author: Plato, translated by Wang Xiaozhao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-04-01
Features: Plato's dialogues should be considered highly accomplished in both literature and philosophy. His dialogues are richly referenced, grand in scope, and fluent yet clear. In terms of philosophy alone, the standard for distinguishing a philosopher can be broadly said to be whether they are a Platonist or an Aristotelian. This distinction clearly illustrates Plato's significant influence on the development of Western philosophy. The complete works of Aristotle have been translated under the direction of Mr. Miao Litian; the four-volume Complete Works of Plato (People's Press), translated under the direction of Mr. Wang Xiaozhao, was finally published in full in October 2003. After completing the translation work, Mr. Wang Xiaozhao used Kant's statement in Critique of Pure Reason—"We can understand Plato better than Plato himself" (p. 256)—to explain the challenges of translating Plato—"Translation requires understanding, and understanding is reconstruction." The new translation is fluent and highly readable, and in its layout, it draws inspiration from internationally recognized authoritative English translations. The cover design of the complete set is novel and solemn, exuding the aura of a master!